NASCAR insider lists possible replacements for Martin Truex Jr. if he retires

Amid the NASCAR season is, of course, Silly Season – where anything and everything can and will happen. What if Martin Truex Jr. retires? Who could replace him in the No. 19 car at Joe Gibbs Racing?

There could be quite a few changes next year beyond the obvious ones at Stewart-Haas Racing. One of the major decisions, for the third year in a row, will come from Martin Truex Jr.

He has opted to stay at JGR and in the Cup Series each of the last two years. Truex is more or less on a one-year driver option at this point. If he wants to come back, it’s his ride. If now, he can step away.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports has reported that JGR is waiting for an answer from Truex on whether he wants to race in 2025. Right now, the 19 team is doing well in the points standing but has no wins this season.

According to Pockrass, there are a few drivers who could replace Martin Truex Jr. if he decides to hang it up this year.

The first, SHR driver Chase Briscoe. While Briscoe has been a Ford driver almost his entire racing career, he would get looks for the Toyota ride at Joe Gibbs. Briscoe has won in the Cup Series and is seen as a talent that could flourish in the right situation. He also has sponsorship.

There are other candidates, though.

Martin Truex Jr. replacement list

Besides Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing can always look inside the Toyota camp. There is a lot of young talent in the lower series, and also a driver in the Cup Series now that they have an eye on.

Erik Jones at Legacy Motor Club would be a possible replacement for Martin Truex Jr. if he retires. Jones was at JGR in the Cup Series between 2018-2020, and prior to that in the Xfinity Series. Could the two forge a new partnership?

Bob Pockrass also named Noah Gragson as a potential replacement for Martin Truex Jr. Gragson has Bass Pro sponsorship, so the organization could potentially keep that partnership going. Gragson has impressed this season with a top-5 finish and five top-10s.

Chandler Smith is with Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series. He could hypothetically be a replacement but is still very young and could also be picked up by another team if there is an open seat. Corey Heim is a Toyota prospect and likely the most talented, but he will possibly join 23XI Racing if they expand to a third team in 2025.

It all depends on what Martin Truex Jr. wants to do.